Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Catbalogan City, Samar – A New People’s Army (NPA) member voluntarily surrendered Tuesday to joint elements of the Philippine Army (PA)’s 14th Infantry Battalion and Intelligence Unit at Vigan village, General MacArthur, Eastern Samar.

The PA’s 801st Brigade Commander, Col. Perfect M. Rimando identified the NPA surrenderee as Romeo Belarmente alias Ogaya. Belarmente is identified as a member of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee (EVRPC).

He yielded an Ingram (Shooter brand) and one magazine loaded with 16 ammunitions.

After undergoing custodial debriefing, Belarmente stands to avail of the Comprehensive Local Social Integration Program (CLIP) which will give him an initial R15,000 immediate cash assistance.

(In photo) Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (right) huddles with Imam Wahid Tundok of the MILF at the foreground of a newly built ARMM-funded school building in Datu Saudi town in Maguindanao while Mamasapano Mayor Benzar Ampatuan (center) looks on. (Philstar John Unson’s photo)The successful implementation of government infrastructure projects in Maguindanao’s former bandit strongholds is attributed to the backchannel security support of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) according to Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)..

The Office of the Regional Governor and the ARMM’s public works department have more than P100 million worth of on-going projects in several areas in Maguindanao that were previously occupied by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

On Monday, Hataman said that some projects in the “SPMS box,” a swath of contiguous lands surrounded by the Shariff Aguak, Pagatin, Mamasapano and Salbu areas in Maguindanao, are now more than 90 percent done as a result of the security support from the MILF.

The so-called SPMS box is a military devised geographical locator for BIFF bastions in the towns of Shariff Aguak, in Mamasapano, and in Barangays Pagatin and Salbu in Salibo and Datu Saudi municipalities, respectively.

Without heavy security escort, Hataman, his public works secretary Don Mustapha Loong and Engineer James Mlok of the 2nd District Engineering Office of Maguindanao, on Saturday inspected ARMM’s multi-million projects in Barangay Baital in Rajah Buayan, in Barangay Tukanalipao, Mamasapano and in Pendililang District in Datu Saudi.

Among the “peace projects” under the Hataman administration in Tukanalipao is the now 98 percent complete 900-meter concrete farm-to-market road connected to a durable footbridge over a wide river, linking the barangay center to vast tracts of corn farms where MILF and BIFF rebels and PNP-Special Action Force (SAF) commandos figured in a deadly 11-hour combat on January 25. At least 44 members of the SAF, 17 MILF members and five civilians were killed.

Loong and Mlok have been monitoring together the projects of the ARMM’s Department of Public Works and Highways in Tukanalipao using drone technology and satellite-based geo-tagging system.

Loong, who is also an engineer, and Mlok also showed to Hataman and reporters the newly-constructed public school building in the center of Barangay Tukanalipao, also implemented after the Mamasapano incident.

The DPWH-ARMM is also still constructing, under the supervision of Mlok, several more school buildings and water system facilities in Tukanalipao and in nearby areas in Mamasapano.

Mlok said all of their public works thrusts inside the SPMS box are being closely coordinated with local commanders of the MILF, via the municipal peace and order councils chaired by incumbent mayors.

In a spot report, the government troops encountered 15 heavily armed NPA rebels while Barangay Captain Felipe S. Cabugnason and his Council members were on a community dialogue in the outskirts of Barangay White Kulaman at around 10:00 a.m, September 19.

The fire fight lasted for 15 minutes until the communist rebels fled towards different directions.

Army reports said there were casualties in NPA's group during the gun battle as globs of blood splotched along their escape routes.

No casualty reported on the government's side.

Lt. Col. Lennon G. Babilonia, 8thIB Commanding Officer, said the government troops were on security patrol when some residents reported that a group of NPA is lurking in the outskirts where their village chief and the council members are having their community dialogue.

It can be recalled that on 26 August 2015, PNP Bukidnon’s Public Safety Company and the Army’s 8thIB conducted law enforcement operation, which led to the arrest of some personalities due to violation of Republic Act 10591 or Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, where, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), blasting caps, IED paraphernalia and subversive documents were recovered from these individuals during operations.

Restless local residents filed complaints against the offenders, blaming them responsible in establishing a “shadow government” in their barangay. Barangay folks also claimed that the rebels are out to kill their community leaders due to their defiance in the rebels’ mission.

Three days earlier, Cabugnason said, White Kulaman villagers prevented the entry of groups who claimed to be members of Mindanao Interfaith Foundation, Inc. (MISFI), KARAPATAN, and League of Filipino Students (LFS).“We cannot let anyone fool us again. This is the reason why we prevent unknown groups’ entry to the village. We can’t be blamed on this because for such a long time, we were deceived and threatened by communists. This is our right because this is our barangay and this is our community,” he said.

Meantime, Kitaotao LGU is implementing its “Basic Services Delivery” project in Barangay White Kulaman with the government troops. So, for the first time in many years, the census of population— that was difficult before due to NPA harassments—is going on.

“Obviously, the NPA will continually hinder development in the barangays such as construction of school and health facilities, distribution of farm inputs, and other services, because once a government project fails, they (NPAs) will use this as a local issue to blame the government and exploit the “Lumads,” Cabugnason said.

From the Philippine Star (Sep 23): Aquino: MILF will not stop arrest of Mamasapano suspects

President Benigno Aquino III witnessed the turnover of MILF weapons on Tuesday. Malacañang Photo BureauPresident Benigno Aquino III expressed confidence that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will not hinder the arrest of its members facing charges over the deadly Mamasapano encounter.

"I am very positive of this, they will as they have already demonstrated in the past that if there is a law enforcement operation they will stand aside. They will not hamper the procedure," Aquino said in an interview with ANC aired on Tuesday night.

"But I would venture the guess that perhaps they will be even more than that. Again, they will not be a hindrance to our enforcement," he added.

On Tuesday, a government fact-finding team filed before the Department of Justice criminal charges against 90 commanders and members of the MILF, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and private armed groups over the death of 35 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos.

The 35 policemen belonged to the 55th SAF company that engaged MILF and BIFF fighters and private armed groups in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on January 25.

In a memorandum-referral, the special investigating team of prosecutors and National Bureau of Investigation agents recommended the prosecution of the respondents that included 13 MILF commanders and six BIFF commanders for the complex crime of direct assault with murder.

"These 90 respondents acted in conspiracy with one another to attack, employ force, seriously intimidate or resist the 35 Philippine National Police SAF commandos, who were uniformed police officers and thus, persons in authority," read the formal complaint.

Aquino believes that most of the respondents will not appear for the preliminary investigation and will be issued with arrest warrants.

The president first revealed the filing of charges against MILF commanders in last week's press conference on the alternative version of the Mamasapano incident.

Aquino presented the latest findings disproving the alternative version of the incident that it was not the SAF troopers who killed Malaysian terror suspect Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, the target of the Mamasapano operation.

The premiere military institution here received from a giant
mall chain newly renovated hospital facilities and equipment recently.

Connie Angeles, SM Foundation Executive Director for Health and Medical Programs turned over the newly renovated operating and delivery rooms, and Cadet / Officers Ward of the Fort Del Pilar Station Hospital located inside the camp at Fort del Pilar here, as well as donation of medical equipment and supplies to Philippine Military Academy(PMA) officials led by Superintendent Lt. Gen. Oscar Lopez.

According to Lopez, the Fort Del Pilar Station Hospital was accredited as Level 2 hospital by Department of Health but downgraded to Level 1 last year due to the condition of its operating and delivery rooms complex. He hopes that with the renovation and refurbishment of the facilities done by SM, the hospital will be upgraded again to Level 2.

Angeles assured that the upkeep and maintenance of the hospital will also be handled by the Foundation stressing that SM Foundation’s caring objective is to have a ‘therapeutic ambience’ among the government hospitals so they look new, presentable and a healthy atmosphere which impacts on the healing and curative effect on the patients.

The PMA hospital is the 105th Felicidad T. Sy Wellness Center to date and the 13th Armed Forces of the Philippines improved facility renovated by SM Foundation.

Last year, SM Foundation also refurbished the Air Force General Hospital at Villamor Airbase, Basa Air Base Station Hospital OPD, Fort Magsaysay Station Hospital, AFP Medical Center Heroes Ward, Naval Special Operations Group Clinic, Fernando Air Base Station Hospital, Air Force City Hospital and Camp Aguinaldo Station Hospital OPD.

Earlier this year, SM and Banco de Oro foundations turned over to the municipal government of La Trinidad a newly-renovated rural health facility to contribute to improving and enhancing the delivery of basic health services to local residents in the capital town of Benguet and its nearby communities.

Through SM Foundation, the SM Group of Companies has been able to help the less fortunate in the communities it serves by supporting their needs in education through college and technical-vocational scholarship programs and donation of public school buildings; health through medical missions and construction of wellness and health centers; community development through various livelihood trainings, greening projects, spiritual development and immediate disaster response/initiatives; and, care for the environment and for persons with special needs like those with disabilities, children, nursing mothers, the elderly, and the overseas Filipino workers, among others.

The Foundation was established in 1983 by its founders, Henry Sy, Sr. and Felicidad T. Sy.

From the Philippine Star (Sep 23): China warns Australia not to take sides on sea row

Adm. Harry B. Harris, Jr., US Navy Commander, US Pacific Command walks past a photograph showing an island that China is building on the Fiery Cross Reef in the South China Sea, as the prepares to testify on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015, before the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on maritime security strategy in the Asia-Pacific region. AP/Cliff OwenChina on Tuesday reminded Australia to maintain its commitment of not taking sides on issues of territorial disputes, particularly on the South China Sea.

In his regular press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei said that Australia should "respect efforts by China and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries and take concrete actions to uphold regional peace and stability."

Australia's new Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull earlier called on China to stop its island-building activities in the disputed seas so as to reduce the presence of the United States in the region.

"There clearly are some tensions with the islands in the South China Sea, the reefs I should say, shoals... China would be better advised, in its own interest frankly, not to be pushing the envelope there," Turnbull said in an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corp. on Monday.

Turnbull described China's foreign policy on the South China Sea as "counter-productive."

"China is resolving relevant disputes through bilateral negotiation with countries directly concerned and maintaining peace and stability of the South China Sea together with ASEAN countries," the Chinese official said.

The Philippines earlier filed an arbitration case against China before the United Nations tribunal, being the first country to challenge the latter's nine-dash line claim over the West Philippine Sea.

From the Philippine Star (Sep 23): Maguindanao inaugurates new campus built by Army

Officials inaugurate the new building in the campus of the Datu Unsay Central Elementary School in Datu Unsay town in Maguindanao. Philstar.com/John UnsonSchool children on Wednesday started holding classes in a building constructed by Army carpenters inside a campus the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) attacked more than a dozen times in the past three years.

The new building at the Datu Unsay Central Elementary School was jointly built by the 6th Civil Military Operations Battalion of the 6th Infantry Division and the Humanitarian Emergency Assistance and Response Team (HEART) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The school is located in Barangay Meta in Datu Unsay, where the BIFF had operated with impunity for years, until units of the 6th ID drove them away in a series of offensives that lasted from March 28 to May 3.

Marauding BIFF bandits had repeatedly pounded the school with B40 anti-tank rockets and even set one of the buildings there on fire in attacks that prompted different units of the 6th ID to force them out.

Major Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan, commander of 6th ID, said he is thankful to the HEART for providing funds and materials for the construction of the two-classroom building.

ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman, Datu Unsay Mayor Reshal Ampatuan and Pangilinan led Wednesday’s symbolic inauguration of the new school building.

Hataman said his administration is keen on expanding its education thrusts to far-flung areas, convinced that it is one of the “surefire solutions” to the nagging security and poverty issues besetting ARMM.

He said credit for the school building project would have to go to the 6th ID, to President Benigno Aquino III, to the House of Representatives and the Senate for entrusting to ARMM huge infrastructure grants in the past three years to hasten the region’s socio-economic growth.

The HEART, comprised of volunteers and trained rescue and emergency responders from different ARMM line agencies and support offices, operates under the ministerial control of Hataman.

Hataman also lauded the Army carpenters who built the school.

Two Army privates, from among the group that constructed the school, were killed in an ambush by BIFF gunmen last June while out to procure construction materials they were to use for the project.

Two senior United States security officials are in the country to meet with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Office of the Ombudsman to discuss maritime law enforcement efforts.In a statement, the US Embassy in Manila said that State Assistant Secretary William Brownfield, head of the US Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), and US Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Paul Zukunft are now in Manila for the two-meet with Philippine officials.The US Embassy said that Brownfield will meet PNP Director General Ricardo Marquez and Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales.The US officials are expected to discuss maritime law enforcement during the meeting.

As head of the INL, Brownfield is tasked with combating international crime and illegal drugs, and their impact on the United States, by providing effective foreign assistance and fostering global cooperation to counter these threats.The US Embassy said that INL programs cover the full spectrum of law enforcement and the rule of law, including: police professionalization; justice sector development; correctional institution reform; and citizen security strengthening.The INL currently manages $20 million in foreign assistance to the Philippines with plans to continue providing more than $8 million dollars in assistance annually. Such assistance has had a significant impact already on expanding the capabilities of Philippine partner agencies across the criminal justice spectrum.http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/two-us-security-officials-in-rp

Information that the Abu Sayyaf Group had been planning to kidnap foreigners and tourists in some of the resorts in Samal Island had circulated within the intelligence community as early as June, a security expert told GMA News on Wednesday.

Prof. Rommel Banlaoi, chairman of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research, said the abduction of three foreigners and their Filipino woman companion could have been prevented with the information.

Senior Superintendent Robert Fajardo of the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group told GMA News that the unit received information on the ASG's plan to kidnap individuals in Samal Island and intensified security in the area.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines confirmed receiving the same information.

"We have that information but hangga't hindi natin nako-confirm, it just only raw information," said Col. Noel Detoyato, the chief of the AFP Public Information Office.

'Civilian group working with Abu Sayyaf'

Banlaoi said a civilian group known for kidnapping for ransom was behind the abduction and passed the hostages to the ASG.

According to Banlaoi, the group is led by an ASG sub-commander known as Sawadjaan.

The gunmen seize two Canadian tourists, a Norwegian employee, and a Filipina from a luxury island resort

ABDUCTED. (Left to right) Robert Hall, Kjartan Sekkingstad, and John Ridsdel are among the 4 people abducted from a resort in Samal Island, Davao del Norte, on September 21, 2015. Photos from the PNPGunmen holding three foreigners and one Filipina hostage have slipped past a naval cordon and escaped to remote mountains in the southern Philippines without making ransom demands, police said Wednesday, September 23.

Elite army troops were trying to track the bandits while air force helicopters were readied for a possible rescue as the abductors trekked into Davao Oriental province, a hotbed of Maoist and Islamic rebels, said Senior Superintendent Aaron Aquino, the region's deputy police commander.

The gunmen seized two Canadian tourists, a Norwegian employee and a Filipina from a luxury island resort on Monday night, adding to a string of kidnappings of foreigners in the conflict-wracked south since the 1990s.

"Last night, we received information that the kidnappers and their victims have been sighted... they are in the Davao Oriental area," Aquino told DZBB radio.

"Our scout rangers are following their tracks. They are on their trail. The air force is also helping, ready for insertion."

Police and the navy had tried to set up a boat blockade on Tuesday around Samal island, where the four were abducted, to stop the gunmen escaping on their outriggers.

But Aquino's comments confirmed the abductors had slipped past and sailed about 50 kilometres (30 miles) east to Davao Oriental, a poor farming and fishing region on the far southeastern edge of Mindanao island.

Canadian tourists John Ridsdel, 68, and Robert Hall, 50, were among those abducted, police said.

The other foreigner was Norwegian resort employee Kjartan Sekkinstad, 56, and the local woman was Hall's 40-year-old Filipina girlfriend, identified only as Tess.

It was not clear which group was behind the abductions.

"We are waiting for contact from the kidnappers so we will know their demands," Aquino said.

Investigators were looking at the possible involvement of communist guerillas or Islamic rebels excluded from a peace treaty signed in 2014 with the government, according to Aquino.

Communist and Islamic rebels have been waging decades-long struggles that have claimed tens of thousands of lives.

The impoverished regions of Mindanao have proved fertile recruiting grounds and sanctuary for both groups.

However Aquino said he doubted the involvement of the Abu Sayyaf, an Islamic militant group infamous for carrying out dozens of kidnappings-for-ransom of foreigners as well as locals since the early 1990s.

The outriggers used to storm the marina on Samal island at midnight on Monday were not a "signature" of the Al-Qaeda-linked group, because they typically have high-speed boats, he said.

The chairman and two other officials of the Commission on
Human Rights are in DavaoCity to open an inquiry into the continuing lumad
crisis in Mindanao.

Meanwhile, an activist lawmaker bared what he said was the
hand of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency and, by extension,
Malacanang in recent attempts to shut down tribal schools openly accused by the
military of advocating support for communist rebels.

Human rights commissioner Karen Gomez-Dumpit told a media
forum in Quezon City Wednesday that CHR chairman
Jose Luis Gascon flew to Davao
Wednesday morning, joining two other commissioners who left the day before.

They will be meeting with various “stakeholders” as they
look into the September 1 murders of Alternative Learning Center for
Agricultural and Livelihood Development (ALCADEV) executive director Emerito
Samarca, Malahutayong Pakigbisog Alang Sa Sumusunod (MAPASU) chairman
Dionel Campos, and his cousin Datu Bello Sinzo, who were murdered in Han-ayan,
Lianga, Surigao del Sur, by the Magahat tribal militia, although other
reports state said troops from units of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division may
have also been involved or, at the very least did nothing about the killings
happening within their view.

They will also inquire into the August 18 massacre in
Pangantucan, Bukidnon of Manobo clansmen Datu Herminio Samia, a blind 71-year
old, his son Jobert and grandson Norman, and brothers Ramil and Emer, the
latter two minors, who the Army initially claimed were New People’s Army
guerrillas slain in a “legitimate encounter.”

In DavaoCity, some 700 Manobo from Talaingod, Davao del Norte
have also sought refuge at the Haran Mission House of the United Church of
Christ in the Philippines
after the military and militias occupied their villages and tribal schools.

NICA and the tribal schools

In the House of Representatives, ACT Teachers party-list
Representative Antonio Tinio said it was the Regional Intelligence Committee in
the Davao
region, which he said was organized by NICA, which recommended the closure of
community learning centers of the Salugpungan Ta Tanu Igkanugon.

During deliberations on the 2016 budget of the Department of
Education Monday, education officials in Region 11 admitted the plan to close
down the Salugpungan schools and replace these with schools run by
soldiers deployed as “para-teachers” was hatched during a meeting called by the
RIC on April 23.

Soon after the Lianga murders, which triggered the mass
evacuation of up to 3,000 Manobo in Surigao del Sur, the 4th ID also announced
that several troops had been trained to be “alternative learning system”
instructors by the DepEd in Region 10.

Tinio said the NICA’s hand in the attempt to close the
tribal schools indicated that President Benigno Aquio III “must have a direct
hand in the continuing campaign of violence and harassment against schools and
communities of indigenous people” since the agency provides daily intelligence
briefings for the chief executive

NICA is the government’s lead intelligence collection agency
and is directly under the Office of the President. Its director general is the
president’s principal adviser on intelligence.

At the Quezon City forum, Dumpit noted that regional offices
of the CHR have dealt with atrocities against the lumad in the past
but acknowledged that recently, “a series of unfortunate events … all came
almost at the same time.”

“Given the fact that we are not excusing ourselves, we
really lack personnel in the regions. And as you know, we do not have enough
budget to be able to get up and go and send people to the many areas that
require our attention,” she added.

Quoting Gascon, Dumpit said that after a series of
inquiries, the CHR would “give the best and the brightest in a task force that
will take a look at the lumad situation,” adding that he had
promised to address the issues “to the best of our abilities and resources.”

‘The killings are nothing new’

Lilak Purple Action for Indigenous Women’s Rights national
coordinator Judy Pasimio stressed that the killings of lumad did not
begin this year and that one of the “busiest” periods in the murders of
indigenous people under Aquino was in the latter half of 2012.

In September 2012, Subanen timuay (chieftain)
Lucenio Manda and his 11-year old son Jordan were shot on their way to school
in Zamboanga del Sur. Jordan died.

The following month, Juvy Capion and her children Jordan, 13
and John, 8 were massacred by troops of the 27th Infantry Battalion. Another
child, Vicky, 4, was wounded but survived when the soldiers heard B’laan women
hurrying to the Capion residence on hearing the shots.

The military reportedly claimed the incident was a mistake
since they were after Juvy’s husband, Daguil, a B’laan leader who had declared
a pangayaw or tribal war against the intrusion of Sagitarrius Mining’s
Tampakan gold and copper mines into the tribe’s ancestral domain.

In December, Sheryll Ananayo-Pugon was shot in a vehicle in
Nueva Vizcaya. She had been holding her three-month-old John Ezekiel, and the
incident was witnessed by her four-year-old daughter, Samantha.

In January the following year, Kitari Capion, Daguil’s
brother, was killed. Dexter Conde, an Ati of Boracay, was shot dead in March.

In September 2014, Datu Sandigan, a Higaonon of Cagayan De
Oro, was shot dead. The following month, Timuay Arig was also killed while
going home from a fiesta with his wife and two sons in Maguindanao.

Pasimio cited KAMP (National Federation of Indigenous
Peoples) data that showed over 68 indigenous people had been killed since 2010,
with all the murders having some things in common: The victim and their
families were actively involved in the defense of their ancestral domain, many
of them against large-scale mining. All were tagged rebels or sympathizers of
the New People’s Army.

And the violence is not confined to the physical.

The militiamen who carried out the Lianga murders warned the
residents of Han-ayan to leave within two days or face the same fate. This
triggered the mass evacuation of Manobo communities in five towns of Surigao
del Sur that saw 3,000 lumad taking refuge at the sports center in the
provincial capital TandagCity, where they are
exposed to the fickle weather and where many sleep on cement floors.

At least one child, Reynabel Enriquez, a four-year-old
Manobo girl, died of asthma. She was buried the same day Campos and Sinzo were. Many of the Tandag
evacuees have also taken ill.

Another Manobo girl, 14, was allegedly raped by three
soldiers. She was among the 700 Manobos who fled Talaingod, Davao del Norte.

‘Investment defense forces’

Aside from the military and the militias they create,
private firms, especially those from extractive industries, whose operations
often target the resource-rich ancestral lands of indigenous people, are
allowed by law to fund their own “investment defense force,” essentially
private security forces deputized as militias.

This is the case in Oriental Mindoro where the Alangan
Mangyan oppose the Sta. Clara mini-hydro plant as well as the Norwegian
large-scale mining operation of Intex Resources, called the Mindoro Nickel
Project, within their tribal land, and in Tampakan, where the Capion family was
massacred.

The result, said Pasimio, is the growing phenomenon of
“investment refugees,” who flee their homes because of militarization
instigated by the intrusion of mining and logging interests in their
communities.

She said that such investments, instead of developing and
providing economic growth for communities, were in truth pushing people out of
their homes and noted that many more violations of indigenous peoples’ rights
are happening, but because of their isolation, they are not always able to
report these.

Pasimio called for the disbanding and disarming of
paramilitary groups and blasted the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples,
which she said is pushing itself into “irrelevance.”

DepEd’s admission

Under questioning by Tinio, Josephin Fadul, superintendent
of the Davao del Norte schools division, confirmed that intelligence officers
of the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command attended the April 23 meeting
convened by the RIC.

It was Fadul who, on May 12, wrote Region 11 Director
Alberto Escobarte urging the closure of the Salugpungan schools.

In her letter, she said: “Should this request for the
closure of said schools be granted, in its stead, this Division requests
permission to implement the creation of a public high school in Butay,
Talaingod utilizing military personnel as para-teachers as has been previously
discussed and agreed upon during our meeting with the Regional Intelligence
Committee at NEAP last 23 April 2015.”

"This is a significant disclosure by Superintendent
Fadul," Tinio noted. "It belies the statements made by top officials
of the AFP, led by chief of staff General Hernando Iriberri during their own
budget hearing that the military played no role in calling for the closure of
the lumad schools.”

“Clearly, they were present and actively involved in
planning the school closures and in suggesting that their soldiers be assigned
as para-teachers,” he added. “In short, AFP officials lied to Congress. Their
game plan is obviously to deny everything and claim that the violence against lumad
schools is part of an alleged tribal war."

“The key role played by the NICA, an agency directly under
the Office of the President, in summoning DepEd Region 11 officials and
hatching the plan to close down the Salugpungan schools in Davao del
Norte establishes the direct hand of the President in orchestrating and
coordinating the ongoing campaign of vilification, harassment, and violence
targeting the lumad schools in Mindanao," Tinio said.

"This explains why Malacañang paid mere lip-service and
(has) taken no effective action to put an end to the extrajudicial killing
spree against lumad leaders and the occupation of schools by the
military. Malacañang can no longer feign ignorance, wash its hands, nor pretend
to conduct an investigation. The campaign against lumads apparently has the
sanction of the President," he added.

Tinio vowed to question NICA regarding its role in the
campaign against lumad schools when ghe agency’s budget is deliberated
by Congress.

Yachts moored at Oceanview Resort on Samal Island, from where three foreigners and a Filipina were kidnapped. (image from News5 video)

(UPDATED WITH VIDEO) The Abu Sayyaf Group, not communist rebels, are responsible for kidnapping three foreigners and a Filipina from a resort in Samal Island, Davao del Norte on Monday, the head of the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command said Wednesday.

“We have suspects but we have not identified them yet. And we are extending all our assistance -- air, ground and naval assets for the immediate capture of the terrorists, the ASG,” Lieutenant General Aurelio Baladad told InterAksyon.com after attending a briefing at the Senate on the continuing lumad crisis in Mindanao.

He said 11 Abu Sayyaf gunmen were involved in the kidnapping, striking at the “least expected time,” 11 p.m., when most of the guests at the Oceanview Resort in Barangay Camudmud, Babak were already asleep on their yachts.

The gunmen seized Kjartan Sekkinstad, the Norwegian operations manager of the resort, Canadians John Ridsdell and Robert Hall, and Hall’s partner, identified only as Tess.

Speculation that communist rebels were responsible for the abductions was triggered by a note found investigators early Tuesday that said: "Katarungan ng aming (Justice by our) commander: by NPA."

But police and military officials doubted the involvement of the New People's Army, saying that it was not the style of the communist guerrillas to leave a note such as what the kidnappers had done.

Hot pursuit operations
Baladad said all military naval and air assets are scouring all areas in Mindanao “where we have reports on the presence of these terrorist groups. Our intelligence assets also have been mobilized to determine the probable area of the suspects.”

Although he said authorities have come upon “leads,” he declined to disclose operational details of the pursuit.

He also acknowledged that they have yet to identify who exactly the suspects are.
The Abu Sayyaf is known to have a loose structure of different bands led by sub-commanders who appear to act autonomously.

The PNP Task Group Oceanview is looking at all angles to determine the group behind the abduction, including the Abu Sayyaf and even amateur kidnappers.

Composite sketch
On Wednesday, police released a composite sketch of one of the suspects in the kidnapping. Though not distinct, he was described as a male, between 20 and 25 years old, 5 foot 3 inches in height and dark complexioned.

The task group expects to enhance the CCTV footage of the abduction to determine the identities of other suspects.

The PNP task group belied reports that a boat found at Governor Generoso in Davao Oriental belonged to the kidnappers.

Though the hunt for the kidnappers was extensive, authorities admiited that their hands were tied because the Davao Gulf encompasses a large area.

Authorities defended the lack of security in the region since it was not the first kidnapping incident. In 2001, the Abu Sayyaf attacked the Pearl Farm but retreated when they were repulsed by the resort’s private guards.

Authorities said it was difficult to secure the Davao Gulf because some owners of private resorts did not cooperate with them.

The Oceanview Resort was temporarily closed on orders of its management.

Canada, UK issue travel advisories
The Canadian and the United Kingdom governments issued an advisory for their citizens against traveling to the Davao provinces and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) effective last Tuesday due to the “serious threat of terrorist attacks and kidnapping”.

The mayor said even if the Island Garden City of Samal was not part of Davao City, it is in Davao del Norte.

Drilon condemns kidnapping
Meanwhile, Senate President Franklin Drilon condemned the kidnapping and called on “the Philippine National Police to ensure the safe return of these individuals to their families and arrest the perpetrators of this crime the soonest.”

Nevertheless, he called the Samal abduction an “isolated” incident in a “generally peaceful” Mindanao.

Government troops had killed a communist rebel in a clash in the southern Filipino province of Davao Oriental where security forces are battling members of the New People’s Army.

Captain Alberto Caber, a spokesman for the Eastern Mindanao Command, said soldiers also recovered a homemade bomb and three automatic rifles left behind by rebels. He said no soldiers were killed or wounded in the fighting which occurred September 22 in Calapagan village inn Lupon town.

The fighting, Caber said, lasted over 45 minutes. He said the clash erupted after rebels attacked the soldiers patrolling the village.

“The soldiers were on security patrol in the area when they were fired upon by the NPA members. There was no casualty on the government side. Troops are still on their pursuit operations,” he said.

Caber said the military had recovered over 100 high-powered firearms in clashes with rebels since early this year in eastern Mindanao.

The NPA has been waging a war for decades now in an effort to put up a communist state in the Philippines. It is now the longest insurgency war in the world.

“In coordination with the Philippine Army, we will run after
them and impose the rule of law in the province of Samar,”
Dolina said.

Dolina asked village officials to take part in the drive to
hunt down criminals especially when these people are seen in their communities.

The police official, however, refused to divulge the number
of wanted PAGS members in Samar as part of
their operational plan.

Meawnhile, local officials in Samar
from different political parties recently gathered for a peace and security
dialogue initiated by the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Batallion and the
Philippine National Police.

The dialogue prompted political opponents Samar Governor
Sharee Ann Tan and Calbayog City Mayor Ronald Aquino to both agree to work for
peace.

Town mayors of Sta. Margarita, Matuguinao, Almagro, and San
Jorge were also present along with their village officials.

Maj. Gen. Jet Velarmino said the conduct of the dialogue is
in response to the series of killings in Samar.
From January to mid-September, there are already 34 shooting incidents,
resulting to 22 deaths. Most of these were recorded in CalbayogCity,
the hometown of Interior and Local Government Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento.

Last week, a family of five, including two children, were
brutally killed in Victory village in Calbayog by alleged private armies.

Both Tan and Aquino agreed to stop and resolve the killings
that are perceived to be politically motivated and perpetrated by private
armies.

Tan said the provincial government of Samar
will not tolerate any killings, especially when innocent people are the
victims.

Aquino, for his part, appreciated the police and army in
pursuing the dialogue.

Dolina said the dialogue is the beginning in their pursuit
to impose rule of law in the province.

The Canadian and the United
Kingdom governments issued an advisory for their citizens
against traveling to Davao
provinces and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) effective last
Tuesday due to the “serious threat of terrorist attacks and kidnapping”.

However, DavaoCity is not included in
the travel advisory ,which also had no effect in a nationwide scale but
Canadian and British citizens were told to exercise “high degree of caution”.

While the city is not included, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said
he could not do anything if foreign governments issue a travel ban for their
citizens in the Philippines.

The mayor said even if the Island Garden City of Samal was
not part of DavaoCity, but it is in Davao
del Norte, he cannot do anything with travel advisories.

“We cannot control other governments,” Duterte said,
admitting that the kidnapping incident would have a negative impact on DavaoCity
because the DavaoInternationalAirport
is the first point of entry of tourists traveling to other provinces and cities
in Southern Philippines.

The advisory cited the kidnapping incident in Island Garden
City of Samal on Sept. 21, 2015 wherein two Canadian nationals, a Norwegian,
and a Filipina, were the victims.

“Several foreigners have been kidnapped in this region.
Threats of abduction of, or violence toward, foreigners continue to occur,” the
advisory reads.

“There is a serious risk of terrorist attacks and
kidnappings in this region,” the advisory added.

The Canadian government also considered the threat of
kidnapping in ARMM and surrounding areas as “high”.

Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario has condemned
the kidnapping incident, adding that it was very unfortunate but considered it
as an isolated case.

“I am appealing to the perpetrators the immediate and
unequivocal release of the hostages. I am asking them to be fair and to
sympathize with their victims, as they are only here to enjoy what we have to
offer in the province,” Del Rosario said.

Del Rosario assured the public that the government is doing
everything that it can ensure the early resolution of the crisis. A special
task force was already organized to conduct a thorough investigation and the
necessary operation to recover the victims.

On Monday, police, military and the local government
authorities in Samal were caught by surprise when the information reached them
that armed men abducted Canadian nationals John Ridsdel, 68, and Robert Hall,
Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad, 56 and Filipina identified as Marites Flor, who
is the live-in partner of Hall.

Ridsdel was former senior vice president for Canadian mining
firm Toronto Ventures Inc. (TVI) Resource Development Philippines, Inc. while
Hall was said to be also working with the mining firm.

Sekkingstad is the manager of Holiday Ocean View Samal
Resort Yacht Club where the kidnapping incident happened.

It was learned that Ridsdel has a special retirees resident
visa while the immigration status of Hall is tourist that is expiring tomorrow
(Sept. 25) and Sekkingstad a 9G commercial, which is a Philippine pre-arranged
employment visa.

In 2001, posh Pearl Farm Resort, owned by prominent
Floirendo family, was also attacked by suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf
Group (ASG), who also staged a kidnapping-try that resulted in the killing of
two resort employees.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Wednesday
assured leaders of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) it will help
secure and monitor infrastructure projects in former Maguindanao's battle
fields.

The assurance was issued by Ustadz Wahid Tundok, head of the
MILF's 118th base command in the towns of Shariff Aguak, Pagatin (now Datu
Saudi town), Mamasapano and Datu Salibo (SPMS), all in Maguindanao.

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said the infrastructure projects
are in support of the national government's peace process with the MILF.

He said the security offered by the Moro rebel group is one
of the dividends of the government peace process.

The ARMM, through the Department of Public Work and
Highways, is implementing more than Php100 million worth of road, bridge and
school building projects in the five adjoining towns where MILF and government
forces clashed in previous years.

It was known in the military as "SPMS box" and
area of operation of the MILF and lately of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic
Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

Following the month-long Army surgical operations aimed at
neutralizing the BIFF early this year, the former rebel stronghold is now quiet
and people are living normal lives.

Hataman acknowledged the security support provided by the
MILF under Ustadz Tundok.

"The projects are about 90 percent complete," he
told reporters.

Hataman and ARMM Public Works Secretary Engr. Don Mustapha
Loong and other public works officials visited the projects Wednesday without
much security escorts.

The ARMM’s multi-million projects are in Barangay Baital in
Rajah Buayan, Barangay Tukanalipao, Mamasapano and in Barangay Pendililang in
Datu Saudi Ampatuan.

The concrete farm-to-market road in Barangay Tukanalipao is
nearing completion. It will connect communities of Moro farmer into the town
center.

Before the actual visit, Loong said the project was being
monitored by his office using drone technology and satellite based geo-tagging
system.

The concrete bridge across the Tukanalipao river in Mamasapano
town where a police operation to put down Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli Bin Hir
was made, is also almost complete.

A Mosque nearby was constructed by the Army's 6th Infantry
Division through the funding from the ARMM.

Hataman said a new school building in Barangay Baital in
Rajah Buayan town was already completed under the Education, Livelihood and
Peace Synergy (HELPS) program of the ARMM government.

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 23): Navy transport ship up for repairs

In line with efforts to ensure that all of its available
ships are mission worthy at all times, the Philippine Navy (PN) has allocated
the sum of Php20,801,701.33 for the repairs of the BRP Benguet (LT-7) , one of
its transport vessels.

Winning bidders are expected to complete the repairs within
30 calendar days.

The BRP Benguet is a LST-542-class tank landing ship
presently serving the PN. She is formerly known as the USS Daviess County
(LST-692). It was an LST-542-class tank landing ship built for the United
States Navy during World War II.

Named after counties in Indiana,
Kentucky, and Missouri,
she was the only US
naval vessel to bear the name. She served in World War II and during the Korean
War. The US Government transferred DaviessCounty to the PN in 1976.

Government security forces have recovered the two motorized
bancas used by the suspects in the SamalIsland raid which
resulted in the abduction of three foreigners and one Filipina Monday night.

The boats were recovered at the shoreline of Tibanban, Gov.
Generoso town, Davao Oriental, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public
affairs office chief Col. Noel Detoyato said in a press brief Wednesday.

The motorized bancas were spotted early Tuesday morning and
there are no evidence to suggest they are from the area, he added.

"There is no definite group yet (behind the abduction)
as there is still an ongoing law enforcement operation," Detoyato stated.

He refused to comment on whether the boats were recovered
near a Moro Islamic Liberation Front camp as earlier claimed.

"We cannot assume that, (all we know for now) is that
the boats were recovered from the Tibanban shoreline which is part of the
Eastern Seaboard going towards Sarangani and Davao Oriental. The area is where
our naval, air assets and ground forces are concentrated," Detoyato said.

He also said that Davao Oriental seems the general location
where the suspects are heading as based on the recovery of the two motorized
boats.

Around 11 suspects, armed with long and short firearms,
abducted three foreigners and a Filipina during a raid at Oceanview Resort,
Barangay Camudmud, Babak District, Island Garden City of Samal Monday night.

Pursuit operations are still being conducted by naval and
group units of the Eastern Mindanao Command.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday
announced that it unlikely that the New People's Army (NPA) is behind the raid
which resulted in the abduction of three foreigners and a Filipina in SamalIsland,
Davao Oriental last Monday.

This was revealed by AFP public affairs office chief Col.
Noel Detoyato as NPA bands in the area have been decimated through surrenders
and focused military operations.

"For the past few months, NPAs on the shorelines of
Davao Oriental has grown weak through surrenders and focused military
operations which killed many of their numbers," he added.

And surviving rebel bands are forced to hide in rural
villages.

With this development, it is impossible for the NPAs to
mount this type of operation, he said.

Earlier reports claimed that the NPA is behind the abduction
as a rebel pamphlet was found near the crime scene.

The leaflet claimed that the SamalIsland
abduction was done to seek justice for their unnamed NPA commander.

As this develops, Detoyato refused to comment on how long it
will take the suspects to reach Zamboanga or Basilan with their captives.

"We cannot have a timeline, or speculate on that, we
(will) just continue with our naval and air assets search in the area,"
the AFP public affairs office chief said.

Eastern Mindanao Command troops killed a New People's Army
(NPA) rebel and captured three high-powered firearms and an improvised
explosive device (IED) during operations in Lupon, Davao Oriental on Tuesday.

Capt. Alberto Caber, Eastern Mindanao Command public affairs
office chief, said the incident took place at 4 p.m. at Sitio Yauri, Barangay
Calapagan, of the above-mentioned town.

Troopers from the 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion were on
security patrol when they encountered an estimated 30 rebels, triggering a
45-minute firefight which resulted in the death of one rebel and seizure of an
M-16, M-4 and AK-47 automatic rifles.

Caber said another five rebels were wounded in the firefight
while government forces sustained no casualties.

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 23): Let the law take its due course: GPH Peace Panel Chair Ferrer on Mamasapano case

With the murder charges filed against 90 suspects in
connection with the Mamasapano incident, Government of the Philippines (GPH)
peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said to “let the law take its due
course alongside the bigger reforms.”

In a statement, Ferrer assured that any “untoward incident”
that might arise from the issuance of the subpoena to identified suspects
affiliated with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will be prevented
through the joint cooperation of the government ceasefire mechanism and Ad Hoc
Joint Action Group.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is set to conduct
preliminary investigations on charges of direct assault with murder against the
90 identified respondents; however, the issuance of subpoenas will be done
discreetly so that these alleged suspects will not be able to go into hiding.

To recall, the GPH-MILF Coordinating Committee on the
Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) had assisted the DOJ team in conducting the
site visit and interviews as part of its investigation on the Mamasapano
incident.

Furthermore, the CCCH, with the assistance of some local
government officials, responded immediately to cease the fighting and retrieve
the corpses from all sides, including civilians, at the scene in Tukanalipao,
Mamasapano on that eventful day of January 25.

“Let the judicial process take its due course for the
benefit of all those who were aggrieved,” said Ferrer.

Aside from the promise of justice, Ferrer said that they
find solace in the various forms of assistance provided and healing initiatives
initiated by both government and nongovernmental groups.

She also stressed to continue pushing for the bigger
reforms.

“At the same time, let not the bigger project of putting in
place the reformed institutions in the Bangsamoro through the passage of a good
basic law and the implementation of the different normalization programs fall
on the wayside,” Ferrer said.

“More than ever, the bigger reform agenda must be realized
in order to sustain the peace, prevent further bloodshed, and achieve
all-around social justice without further delay in Muslim Mindanao,” she added.

President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday assured that the
government security forces will not stop in tracking down the group of armed
men who abducted three foreigners and a Filipina in a resort in SamalIsland,
Daval del Norte last Monday night.

”Rest assured that our security sector will not stop in
tracking down these people,” President Aquino said in a media interview during
a visit in Apayao province.

The President said all the concerned government agencies
will review its security protocol to prevent the kidnapping incident from
happening again in the future.

”Based on our initial report, it seems this is a new group.
Of course, we have to account our intelligence services. Why this group escape
the intelligence radar. What is the purpose of this kidnapping,” the President
said.

Last Monday night, the armed men kidnapped three foreigners
identified as John Ridsel and Robert Hall of Canada and resort operations
manager Kjartan Sekkingstad of Norway
as well as Hall’s Filipino girlfriend identified as Tess in SamalIsland.

According to the news reports, the kidnappers initially took
six people but a Canadian, identified as Steven and his Japanese wife, Kazuka,
were able to jump from the kidnappers’ boat. The couple is now confined in a
hospital.

President Aquino said he got information that the last time
there was report of kidnapping attempt in the tourist-haven SamalIsland
was between 2000 and 2001 perpetrated by the group of Kumander Global.

”We kept on following up specially on the previous kidnapping
incidents and can I just remind everybody that we have recovered good number of
kidnap victims even with the Abu Sayyaf. We have not stopped our operations
against ASG that has a given a lot the opportunity for a lot for them to
escape,” the President said.

The President cited the most recent escape of two kidnapped
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel operative SN2 Gringo Villaruz and SN2
Rod Pagaling who escaped from their ASG captors during the skirmishes on Aug.
20 in Sulu.

”My confidence is high that our military and police have not
stopped in pursuing the lawless elements,” the President said.

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 23): President Aquino creates National Cybersecurity Committee

President Benigno S. Aquino III has issued Executive Order
No. 189, creating a National Cybersecurity Inter-Agency Committee that will
assess the vulnerabilities of the country’s cybersecurity.

According to the executive order, the increasing number of
cyber threats that put government and commercial information systems at great
risk necessitates the creation of a body that will coordinate government
agencies in preparing appropriate and effective measures to strengthen their
cybersecurity capabilities.

The National Cybersecurity Inter-Agency Committee will issue
updated security protocols to all government employees involved in the storage,
handling and distribution of all forms -- digital, electronic, snail mail, and
others -- of documents and communications.

It will also enhance the public-private partnership in the
field of information sharing, involving cyber attacks, threats and
vulnerabilities to cyber threats; and conduct periodic strategic planning and
workshop activities that will reduce the country’s vulnerabilities to cyber
threats.

The committee will also serve as the country’s coordinating
arm in domestic, international and transnational efforts on cybersecurity.

The committee will be under the Office of the President and
will be chaired by the Executive Secretary and co-chaired by the Director
General of the National Security Council and the Secretary of Department of
Science and Technology.

To serve as committee members will be the respective
secretaries of the Departments of Energy, Finance, Foreign Affairs, Interior
and Local Government, Justice, National Defense, Transportation and
Communications, Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning
Office, and Presidential Communications Operations Office, as well as the
commissioner of the National Telecommunications Commission, the chairman of the
National Privacy Commission, and the executive director of the Anti-Terrorism Council–Program
Management Center.

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 23): President Aquino says new group could be responsible for Samal Island kidnapping

President Benigno S. Aquino III on Wednesday said that
initial reports show that a new group could be responsible for the kidnapping
of foreigners and a Filipino citizen from a resort in SamalIsland, near DavaoCity.